Like in secular education, your spiritual learning begins with learning a broad and general range of topics. As you grow, you become more focused in certain areas, especially those where you’ve discovered interest or ability. Eventually, you might become known for particular abilities in certain areas.

Everyone has particular talents, and so do you! Everyone has particular interests, and so do you. Some you might only share with a deity, but others you might want to share with anyone who wishes to listen.

One of the most important points of the New Testament, and of Jesus’ ministry. “Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full”. That might not be as you imagined it, or times ad you hoped, but it does promise that it will be.

There’s no discussion here about “God’s will”, “God’s time”, or “God’s higher plan”. Simply ask, and it shall be given unto you.

You may have noticed lately the collection of “alternative facts” which some politicians are using in place of actual history. While claims made by politicians about historical figures can muddle up our mundane lives, similar claims can have an even worse effect in our spiritual lives.

It can be said that at the heart of any legend is a kernel of truth. And, it is amazing how much archaeology has done to show legends and revered writings to be accurate history. And, the internet makes more available in the way of documentation and distance exploration than has ever existed! This means that most people will be able to read literature of history and/or legends, experience the places where they happened, and also have a more fulfilling spiritual experience.

While many people have been exposed to Biblical Archaeology, other traditions have their ancient times and their tales, writings, sites and ways waiting to be explored and learned. Heorot, the mead-hall made famous in the tale of Beowulf, for instance, has been located. The Celtic lands have many sites, and more waiting discovery. I could go on and on.

The result will not only help your journey, but it will also put your spiritual feet on firmer ground due to your adding knowledge to experience!

I have a hard time with the Epistle reading here, and not because of what it says. My issue is what some people claim that it says. At the time St Peter wrote this, the world known to him was governed by Rome, and it was relatively just. And, there were no persecutions. Is such a pronouncement of advice all-inclusive?

What of unjust situations. Should civil rights demonstrators stayed silent because segregation was the law? For that matter, should the Pilgrims who settled in Massachusetts have instead stayed in England and affirmed their loyalty to the Church of England, since it was England’s only lawful church at the time?

Just laws are just and deserve to be followed. But we don’t need to follow injustice in the name of scripture.

Is something coming? Or is it here? Do we wait for it, do we enjoy it, or do we enjoy what we have and anticipate even more?

There is much anticipation in most spiritual traditions, looking forward to what is coming. Or is it already here? Some among the followers of the Norse tradition feel that Ragnarok and Baldur’s return have happened, while others are waiting. There are those among the Christians who will tell us that we are supposed to wait for the coming of the Kingdom of God, but would Jesus agree?

The answer might surprise many, and give us a clue as to our own actions which we need to take.